Plan Your Trip
Yoga, Spas & Spiritual Pursuits
India offers a profound spiritual journey for those so inclined, and even sceptical travellers can enjoy the benefits of trips to spas and yoga centres.
What to Choose
Ashrams
India has plentiful ashrams – places of communal living established around the philosophies of a guru (spiritual guide or teacher). You can arrange to stay for an extended period, living by the rules of particular organisation.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the ancient science of Indian herbal medicine and holistic healing, based on natural plant extracts, massage and therapies to treat body and mind.
Meditation
Many centres in Buddhist areas offer training in vipassana (mindfulness meditation) and Buddhist philosophy; many require a vow of silence and abstinence from tobacco, alcohol and sex.
Spa Treatments
India’s spas offer an enticing mix of international therapies and local techniques based on ancient ayurvedic traditions.
Yoga
Yoga’s roots lie in India and you’ll find hundreds of schools following different disciplines to suit all levels of skill and commitment.
Yoga
You can practise yoga almost everywhere, from beach resorts to mountain retreats. In 2014, at India's initiative, the UN adopted a resolution declaring 21 June International Yoga Day.
Karnataka
Mysuru The birthplace of Ashtanga yoga; there are centres all over the state.
Kerala
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram Renowned for longer courses; near Trivandrum.
Maharashtra
Kaivalyadhama Yoga Hospital Yogic healing in Lonavla.
Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute Advanced courses; in Pune.
Mumbai
Yoga Institute Daily and longer-term programs.
Yoga House Hatha yoga in a lovely setting.
Yogacara More hatha yoga.
Tamil Nadu
International Centre for Yoga Education & Research Has 10-day introductory courses and advanced training in Puducherry.
Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram Chennai-bsed yoga courses, therapy and training.
Andaman Islands
Flying Elephant Yoga and meditation in tropical surroundings on Havelock Island.
Goa
Himalaya Yoga Valley Popular training school; Mandrem.
Swan Yoga Retreat Retreat in a soothing jungle location; Assagao.
Himalayan Iyengar Yoga Centre Courses in Arambol.
Bamboo Yoga Retreat Beachfront yoga; Patnem.
Uttarkhand
Rishikesh Take your pick from centres and ashrams offering yoga for all levels.
Ashrams
Many ashrams ('places of striving') are headed by charismatic gurus. Some tread a fine line between spiritual community and personality cult. Many gurus have amassed fortunes collected from devotees, and others have been accused of sexually exploiting their followers. Always check the reputation of any ashram you wish to join.
Most ashrams offer philosophy, yoga or meditation courses, and visitors are usually required to adhere to strict rules. A donation is appropriate to cover your expenses.
Kerala
Matha Amrithanandamayi Mission Amrithapuri-based; famed for its female guru Amma, ‘The Hugging Mother’.
Maharashtra
Brahmavidya Mandir
Ashram (
GOOGLE MAP ; 
%07152-288388; shared r
₹150; 
h6am-noon
& 2-7pm) Established
by Gandhi’s disciple Vinoba Bhave; in Sevagram.
Sevagram Ashram Founded by Gandhi; in Sevagram.
Osho International Meditation Resort Follows the sometimes controversial teachings of Osho; based in Pune.
Tamil Nadu
Sri Aurobindo Ashram Puducherry ashram founded by Sri Aurobindo.
Sri Ramana Ashram Founded by Sri Ramana Maharshi; in Tiruvannamalai.
Kolkata
Belur Math Ramakrishna Mission headquarters, founded by Swami Vivekananda.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda – Indian herbal medicine – aims to restore balance in the body.
Goa
Shanti Ayurvedic Massage Centre A centre in Mandrem.
Karnataka
Ayurvedagram (Bengaluru) In a garden setting.
Soukya (Bengaluru) Ayurveda and yoga.
Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre (Mysuru) Therapies from ancient scriptures.
Swaasthya (Coorg) Retreats and therapies.
Kerala
Dr Franklin’s Panchakarma Institute (Chowara) South of Kovalam.
Eden Garden (Varkala) Treatments and packages.
Santhigiri Ayurveda Centre (Kollam) Seven- to 21-day packages and day treatments. Branch at Kumily.
Ayur Dar (Kochi) Treatments of one to three weeks.
Himachal Pradesh
Men-Tsee-Khang (Tibetan Medical & Astrological Institute) The primary authority on Tibetan medicine and has its HQ and two clinics in McLeod Ganj, plus nearly 50 other clinics across India.
Ayuskama Ayurvedic Clinic (Bhagsu) Dr Arun Sharma gives highly rated treatments and courses for would-be practitioners.
Tamil Nadu
Sita (Puducherry) Ayurveda and yoga.
Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre (Madurai) Classes and training in central Madurai, plus courses and teacher training at its ashram.
Mamallapuram Lots of yoga classes (of varying quality). In Kovalam village nearby; has beach yoga and annual surf and yoga festival.
Uttar Pradesh
Swasthya Vardhak (Varanasi) Ayurveda.
Madhya Pradesh
Kairali Spa Ayurveda in Orchha.
Ayur Arogyam Expert ayurvedic treatments in Khajuraho.
Maharashtra
Yogacara Ayurveda and massage.
Buddhist Meditation
Whether for an introduction or more advanced study, there are India-wide courses and retreats. McLeod Ganj is the main centre for the study of Tibetan Buddhism; public teachings or audiences are given by both the Dalai Lama and the 17th Karmapa.
Himachal Pradesh
Library of Tibetan Works & Archives Serious Buddhist philosophy courses in McLeod Ganj.
Himachal Vipassana Centre (
MAP
GOOGLE MAP ; %9218414051; www.sikhara.dhamma.org;
Dharamkot; hApr–mid-Nov) Strict 10-day retreats in Dharamkot, near
McLeod Ganj.
Tushita Meditation Centre Ten-day silent retreat courses and drop-in meditation sessions; Dharamkot.
Deer Park Institute Courses and workshops on Buddhist and Indian philosophy, and meditation retreats led by Buddhist masters; in Bir.
Jammu & Kashmir
Mahabodhi Centre Various vipassana courses and drop-in sessions in Leh.
Bihar
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture Courses from two to 21 days; in Bodhgaya.
International Meditation Centre (
MAP
GOOGLE MAP ; %0631-2200707; bsatyapala@gmail.com;
per day incl accommodation & food
₹500) Informal 10-day
courses; Bodhgaya.
Mumbai
Global Pagoda Vipassana courses from one to 10 days; on Gorai Island.
Maharashtra
Vipassana International Academy Holds 10-day vipassana courses in Igatpuri.
Andhra Pradesh
Numerous Burmese-style vipassana courses, including the Vipassana International Meditation Centre near Hyderabad, Dhamma Vijaya near Eluru, and Dhamma Nagajjuna (Nagarjuna Sagar).
Spa Treatments
From solo practitioners to opulent spas, there are choices nationwide. Be cautious of dodgy one-on-one massages by private (often unqualified) operators – seek recommendations and trust your instincts.
Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh
Jiva Spa Massages, scrubs and wraps in beautiful surrounds in Gwalior.
Mumbai
Antara Spa
(
GOOGLE MAP ;
%022-66939999; www.theclubmumbai.com;
197 DN Nagar, Andheri
West; 1hr massage ₹2975-3320; h10am-7.30pm) International treatments.
Palms Spa Renowned Colaba spa.
Uttarkhand
Haveli Hari Ganga In Haridwar, overlooking the Ganges.
Kolkata
Vedic Village Touted to have the finest medical spa in the country; near Kolkata.
Karnataka
Emerge Spa Pampering Asian-influenced treatments near Mysuru.
Goa
Humming Bird Spa For all kinds of pampering; in Palolem.
Uttar Pradesh
Aarna Spa Ayurveda, aromatherapy and pampering in Varanasi.
Kerala
Neeleshwar Hermitage Beachfront ecoresort near Bekal.